REACH – Applications for authorisation AFA019-01 MOCA

Overview

Public consultation on alternatives

Reference: AFA019-01

Applicant: LUC (UK) Limited

Application type: Initial

Substance name: 2,2'-dichloro-4,4'-methylenedianiline (MOCA, MbOCA)

EC Number: 202-918-9

CAS Number: 101-14-4

Proposed use: Industrial use of 2,2'-Dichloro-4,4'-methylenedianiline (MOCA) in the manufacture of high-performance polyurethanes specifically for custom-made rollers with high reliability requirements for steel and aluminium sectors.

Broad information on use applied for (conditions of use and function):

This application covers the use of MOCA in the manufacture of high performance polyurethanes, specifically for the covering of custom-made rollers with high reliability requirements in the steel and aluminium industries. The polyurethanes are manufactured by machine casting in fully automated or semi-automated processes.

The material properties of polyurethanes depend on the reactants used in their manufacture and there are many different reactant systems available. Polyurethanes manufactured with a MOCA based system have properties suited to components used in harsh environments.

The polyurethane coatings on the rollers need to be highly durable, highly reliable and have good fatigue properties to avoid expensive downtimes to replace/repair the rollers. Key material properties relevant for these performance requirements include mechanical strength, coefficient of friction, dynamic load bearing capacity, cutting resistance and adhesion to the metal substrate.

Polyurethane coatings manufactured with alternatives to MOCA need to have equivalent technical performance for an equivalent cost to have customer acceptance.

To be considered suitable, an alternative curative for the same system or a different system would need to fulfil the following conditions:

• Give polyurethanes with equivalent technical performance in the sectors of use.
• The time between the addition of the chain extender (last raw material component) and the increase of viscosity of the mixture to the extent that it can no longer be poured needs to be sufficient to cast the high volumes of polyurethane needed for the roller coverings.
• Be available in the quantities needed.

Despite extensive R&D, the applicant has not yet identified an alternative curative/system that can be used to manufacture the high performance polyurethanes needed for the covering of the custom-made rollers. Polyurethanes manufactured with alternatives need to be competitive with imported MOCA cured polyurethanes or there will be no market for them. The R&D plan outlines the substitution timeline for the requested review period of 12 years.

List of descriptors:

• Sector of end use (SU): 0: Other
• Environmental release category (ERC): 6a
• Process category (PROC): 1, 4, 5, 8b, 28
• Product category (PC): 32
• Article category related to subsequent service life (AC): N/A
• Technical Function: Curing agent/chain extender, intermediate

Annual tonnage used: 2.58

Review period requested: 12 years

How to submit comments

Provide some basic information on possible alternative(s) in the online survey below but more detailed information should be provided in document(s) prepared using the commenting templates in the related section below. A “public version” should always be completed and will be published after the consultation has closed. If you want to include confidential information in your submission, please additionally complete a “confidential version” and submit both versions as attachments.

The consultation lasts for 8 weeks (unless otherwise specified) and closes at xxxx 23:59 London time (BST).